TENTH WEEK.—FRIDAY. — Morning

O LORD, Thou art our God; the Author of our being, and the Giver of every good and perfect gift. All the blessings we enjoy come to us from Thee, through Him who, though exalted on high, and crowned with glory and honour, is our Saviour, and Brother, and Friend.

We rejoice that for our sake Jesus Christ submitted to humiliation, poverty, and pain; loving us when we were at enmity with Him, and seeking our welfare while He suffered for our sins. We rejoice that, having suffered, He is now exalted above all principalities and powers, a Prince and a Saviour, to give repentance and remission of sins. Especially do we rejoice that, on his throne in glory, He retains the same love for us as when He hung upon the cross, that He does not forget those whose nature He wears, but still thinks of us, and intercedes for us; and, as He bore our sin and shame, gives us a share in the fruits of his exaltation.

We thank Thee for all the blessings Thou hast bestowed on us through Him. Thou hast fed us and clothed us; Thou hast protected us from danger, and preserved our lives. In sickness and sorrow Thou hast sustained us; and in health Thou hast supplied our wants. And, looking back over all the way by which Thou hast led us, we are constrained to say, “Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel, who only doeth wondrous things; and blessed be his glorious name for ever, and let the whole earth be filled with his glory. Amen and Amen.”

We acknowledge likewise thy spiritual mercies in Christ Jesus, for all the means of grace, and for the hope of glory. Make us partakers of thy Spirit, and heirs of the kingdom of thy dear Son, that we may be his in the day when He maketh up his jewels.

Accept, O Lord, of our thanksgivings for these manifold mercies, of which we are most unworthy; and enable us to use thy gifts for thy service. May every renewed favour increase our love to Thee and devotedness to thy service. And, receiving so much ourselves, may we ever be ready, in the exercise of a true brotherly feeling, and according to the ability which Thou hast given, to minister to the welfare of others. Help us especially, as a family, to be considerate of each other’s feelings. May Christian love characterise all our intercourse here. And, when the vicissitudes of life are past, may we have a happy meeting around thy throne.

Receive our thanks for the mercies of the past night. Grant us protection, and help, and guidance, and grace throughout the day. Forgive us our sins, and accept us and our services, for the Redeemer’s sake. Amen.